Tower Records - the lessons that must be learnt

Today’s Guardian joins the lament for the passing of Tower Records. On An Overgrown Path is a vigorous champion of both independent record stores and independent record labels. But actions, as well as words, are needed from labels such as Harmonia Mundi to stop the doomsday scenario predicted by René Goiffon.
The first action the independent labels need to take is to change their suicidal pricing policies. Let’s take an example close to home - Harmonia Mundi’s release of Olivier Grief’s moving Sonata da Requiem which I praised here recently. If I buy this CD from my local serious record store it will cost me £14.99, if I buy it online from Caiman in Florida it will cost me £9.75 delivered. How long will serious record stores survive in the UK with that price difference? And it is not just pricing differentials between the UK and US that account for this crazy situation.

Secondly, the independent labels must concentrate on adding value instead of slipping down the slippery slope of price cutting and surrendering to the distribution route of paid-for file downloads. On an Overgrown Path has repeatedly said that recorded classical music is already too cheap, and we are not the only ones saying it. Jordi Savaal’s brilliantly successful Alia Vox label has shown that value can be added to the CD format. In France recently I happily paid 23€ for Montserrat Figueras’ superb new release Lux Feminae because of the beautifully produced 172 full colour booklet that is bound into the packaging.

René Goiffon is correct, the demise of Tower Records is the end of an era. But it need not be the end of independent record labels and record stores. Harmonia Mundi, and the other labels, must implement pricing policies that reward retailers who provide a genuine service and commitment, and they must add value to lock loyal customers in to the CD format instead of surrendering to file downloads. The alternative is Best Buy, Target, Wal-Mart and K-Mart.
Now playing - Montserrat Figueras' Lux Feminae spanning the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. My enthusiam for the output of Alia Vox grows and grows; this is music of commitment and passion. Here is Figueras' note from the recording - Lux Femina is a homage to the light of Woman. Having sung of that light for so long through music and poetry, I naturally became aware that it has not always been free to shine. Lux Feminae is a celebratory disc because the best approach to life is to celebrate everything and take time to celebrate.

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